Here in Cheshire, CT, hard water is a persistent issue, as is the case in much of the US. Most groundwater sources pick up minerals as they pass through subterranean rock. As a result, hard water affects both municipal water supplies and private wells. Water softening systems offer home and business owners a way to solve their hard water problems. Here’s a complete guide to how water softeners work and why they’re helpful.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water is any water containing a high concentration of dissolved minerals. While that may sound innocuous, it can cause a variety of problems. For example, if your dishwasher leaves a powdery residue on your glassware, it’s probably due to hard water as the minerals in the water build up on the surface of the glass. Hard water also interferes with soaps and detergents, preventing them from lathering and rinsing completely.
Hard water can also cause problems for your plumbing. If you spot any white, chalky buildup on your faucets and sinks, it’s because of hard water. That same buildup will happen inside your plumbing, causing unnecessary wear and tear and contributing to clogs. Hard water can also lead to mineral deposits inside your water heater. That can reduce its capacity and eventually lead to its premature failure. These reasons are why homes and businesses with a hard water problem typically have a need for more frequent plumbing repair services.
Measuring Water Hardness
You can test your water for hardness using items you already have in your home. However, it’s an imprecise test that will only give you a decent idea of whether you have hard water. You need a clean, empty, clear bottle with a cap and some liquid soap to do the test. Fill the bottle with tap water to one-third of its capacity. Then, let the water settle until it’s completely clear. Next, add two or three drops of soap and seal the bottle. Shake the mixture for a few seconds. If you don’t have particularly hard water, the soap should produce bubbles on the water’s surface. The water itself should remain clear. However, if the water gets cloudy and there are not many bubbles, it’s a good sign that you have hard water.
If you want a more precise answer, purchase a hard water test kit from your local home improvement store. Most such kits come with simple test strips and a color chart to help you interpret the results. To perform the test, fill a glass with your tap water and submerge a test strip in the water. The test kit should tell you how long to leave the strip submerged. At the end of the test period, remove the strip and compare its color to the included chart. The chart should show a water hardness scale measured in grains per gallon (GPG) or parts per million (PPM). The hardness scale is:
- Less than one GPG or 17.1 PPM is soft water
- Between 1 and 3.5 GPG or 17.2 and 60 PPM is slightly hard water
- Between 3.5 and 7 GPG or 60 and 120 PPM is moderately hard water
- Between 7 and 10 GPG or 120 and 180 PPM is hard water
- Over 10 GPG or 180 PPM is very hard water
How a Water Softener Works
A water softener is a device installed in a home or building at its water supply entry point. There, it can treat the water before it moves through the building’s plumbing system. Water softeners typically use salt and exchange mineral ions in the water with sodium ions. They usually have a tank full of resin beads to facilitate the exchange.
The process begins with hard water flowing into the softener’s resin bead tank. The beads are negatively charged, with positively charged sodium ions attached. As the hard water passes through, the negatively charged beads attract positively charged mineral ions from the water. Fortunately, the ion charge of the sodium ions is far weaker than the minerals’ charge. That forces the beads to shed their sodium ions into the water and retain the mineral ions. The result is softer water that can then enter the building’s plumbing system.
The resin beads can’t capture an endless amount of minerals, however. That’s where another process in the water softener comes in and is called the regeneration cycle. Water softeners contain a separate tank called a brine tank. There, the system stores salty water that periodically gets used to flush out the resin bead tank. When that happens, the salty water rinses the mineral ions off the beads and recharges them with sodium ions. Depending on the system, the regeneration process may occur every few days or as infrequently as once a week.
To keep a water softener system running, you must periodically add salt to its brine tank. Most systems require salt refills every one or two months. The majority of water softeners perform equally well with sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl) in their brine tanks. However, you should always consult your water softener’s manual for the proper consumables.
Won’t a Water Softener Create Salty Water?
After finding out how water softeners work, many people question if the water softening process will result in salty water. The answer is a bit complicated. Water softeners indeed add some sodium to the water they treat. However, the amount is so trivial that it’s imperceptible to your taste buds. But it is something that people on low-sodium diets should take note of and consider when preparing meals.
To determine how much sodium a water softener would add to your water, you must start with your water’s hardness. That’s because more minerals in your water means using more sodium to replace them. Fortunately, there’s a handy formula you can use. Take your water’s hardness in GPG and multiply it by 1.89. That will tell you how many milligrams of sodium a water softener would add to an 8-ounce glass of water. You can use that information along with your daily water intake to decide if the extra sodium in the water is a problem. You may wish to consult your doctor for more specific guidance.
If installing a water softener would add more sodium to your water than you’re comfortable with, you have two options. One option is to use KCl in your softener. It’s the same substance you’ll find in commercial salt-replacement products. It’s usually safe for anyone on a low-sodium diet. Or you could install a reverse-osmosis water filtration system to work with your water softener. It would remove the sodium from the water entirely. You can install such a system under your kitchen sink to provide sodium-free drinking water.
Water Softener Experts
F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is a local Cheshire business that has been serving customers since 1870. We offer residential and commercial services, including plumbing, HVAC, electrical, roofing, and more! We provide affordable water treatment services, including installing, repairing, and maintaining water softeners. We’re also Better Business Bureau accredited with an A+ rating and have a long list of positive customer reviews. If you need a water softener in Cheshire or any of our other services, call F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many people notice dry or irritated skin, dull hair, and more product buildup when their water has higher mineral content. Softer water often rinses cleaner, so shampoo and soap can feel less “sticky,” and you may not need as much product. If you are in Cheshire, CT or nearby and you are trying to improve comfort in the shower, a water evaluation can help you confirm whether hardness is part of the issue.
Water softeners are designed to reduce hardness minerals, not to filter out contaminants like chlorine taste, lead, or bacteria. If your goal is better taste or added protection for drinking and cooking water, you may need a separate filtration system. For well water concerns, it is best to start with a water test so any treatment matches what is actually in the water.
Right-sizing depends on three practical factors: your measured water hardness, the number of people in the home, and how much water you typically use each day. The goal is steady performance without the system struggling during high-use days. A local specialist like F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help you match capacity and flow needs to your home so showers, laundry, and dishwashing stay consistent.
They are not the same. Salt-free conditioners are generally aimed at reducing scale buildup tendencies, but they usually do not remove hardness minerals from the water. A true water softener is typically chosen when the priority is reducing hardness-related problems throughout the home. The best option depends on your goals, your water quality, and any household preferences.
It depends on what is causing the issue. Some well-water problems, like iron staining or odor, often need targeted treatment such as iron removal or filtration before or alongside a softener. In parts of Connecticut where well water is common, starting with a proper test is the most reliable way to choose equipment that solves the problem instead of guessing.
Most installations need a suitable location near where the water line enters the home, enough space to access the unit, and a plan for routing any necessary lines. In older Connecticut homes, the biggest factors are often space, pipe layout, and making sure shutoff and bypass options are set up correctly. A site visit can confirm what is needed before anything is installed.
In addition to keeping up with routine care, it helps to watch for changes like spots returning, soap not rinsing well, or inconsistent water feel. Periodic professional service can include checking settings, inspecting valves and connections, and confirming the system is operating correctly for your current household usage. If you notice a sudden drop in performance, it is best to schedule service rather than letting a small issue turn into a bigger plumbing problem.
Sometimes, but it depends on what you are using the water for and the type of system installed. Many homeowners use alternative water sources for sensitive plants or aquariums, and they may use specific testing and balancing for pools and hot tubs. If you have a special-use setup, ask your installer how to handle outdoor spigots, drinking water taps, or other lines so the water matches your needs.
A few practical questions can help you avoid choosing the wrong system for your home:
- What does my water test show for hardness and any other problem minerals?
- What size and flow capacity fits my household and plumbing layout?
- What routine care will I be responsible for, and what does service typically include?
- How will the system be set up for drinking water, outdoor use, and any special fixtures?
If you want help walking through those choices, F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can review your goals and recommend a setup that makes sense for your home.
